Ireland records hottest summer in 127 years as heatwaves and drought hit
Six of Ireland’s 10 hottest summers have now occurred since 2001, highlighting the recent trend towards warmer conditions. Picture: Larry Cummins
Summer 2026 was provisionally the hottest summer on record in Ireland in 127 years.
The average temperature for June, July and August was 16.28C, making it 0.09C warmer than the previous record, set in 2025, according to Met Éireann.
The national forecaster described the summer as “exceptionally warm relative to climatological normals”, with temperatures 2.03C above the 1961-1990 average.
Six of Ireland’s 10 hottest summers have now occurred since 2001, highlighting the recent trend towards warmer conditions.
Met Éireann said high pressure dominated western Europe for much of the summer, while the jet stream was displaced north of Ireland.
The jet stream is a band of high-level winds which steers weather systems around the globe.
The forecaster said intense high-pressure systems known as heat domes extended north over Ireland on “several occasions during the summer months, bringing prolonged periods of hot weather”.
Summer 2026 was also the 22nd driest summer since 1941, with several parts of the country experiencing prolonged dry spells and drought conditions.
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Oak Park in Co Carlow experienced a 66-day partial drought between June 20 and August 24, breaking the previous record of 62 days recorded at Roches Point, Co Cork, in summer 1983.
All 25 stations monitored by Met Éireann experienced dry spells between July 1 and August 2, lasting between 19 and 33 days.
Twelve stations across the South, East and Midlands recorded absolute drought conditions between July 1 and July 28, lasting between 15 and 27 days.
Moore Park in Co Cork recorded its second-longest heatwave on record, lasting 13 days, while it also recorded 23 summer days meeting heatwave criteria.
The previous highest number was 15 days, recorded in 2018 and 1989.
Dublin recorded its highest maximum temperature for August when 31.2C was recorded at Casement on Wednesday, August 12, breaking a record set 62 years ago.
It was also the highest August temperature recorded in the county in 127 years of records.
Phoenix Park reached 30.9C, while Dunsany in Co Meath recorded 30.5C and Gurteen in Co Tipperary reached 29.3C.
Fourteen stations, including three in Cork and three in Dublin, recorded their hottest summer on record.
August was also warmer and drier than average, with a mean temperature of 16.27C, making it the ninth warmest August on record since 1900.
The warmest August on record was 1995, while the coolest was 1912.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
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